Summa Logicae

10 - Unfinished Business

Minutes later, Jake emerged from the dark alley, his steps slow and uneven, still clutching his side. The pain from the broken rib throbbed with every breath he took. As he stepped back into the dim glow of the streetlights, Mika spotted him instantly. She had just exited the McDonald's, balancing a bag of food in one hand, her eyes lighting up with concern the moment she saw him.

"Jake!" she called out, rushing over to him. "What the hell happened?"

He leaned against a nearby wall, breathing heavily. "Some assassin... attacked me. Must be linked to the PAD. She was fast, but I—" He gestured vaguely to the alley. "I managed to take her down."

Mika's expression darkened, her worry quickly shifting into a controlled fury. "Let me see." Without waiting for his permission, she gently placed her hand on his side where the pain was the worst. Jake winced as she pressed against his ribs, but in an instant, he felt a strange, warm sensation spreading through his body. Mika's eyes glowed faintly, and began to spatially realign the fragments of his broken rib, the sharp pain subsiding into a dull ache.

"There," she said, pulling her hand away. "You're good as new."

Jake straightened, rolling his shoulder and taking a deep breath. The pain was completely gone, as if he had never been injured. "I still can't believe I killed someone...," he muttered, still mentally shaken from the encounter.

Mika handed him the McDonald's bag, her tone suddenly colder, more serious. "We need to end this. That assassin was a clear escalation."

"What are you planning?"

She didn't hesitate. "I'm going to destroy the PAD and their headquarters." Her voice was calm but carried a dangerous edge to it.

Jake stepped forward, concern etched into his face. "L-Let me come with you. I might be of help."

Mika shook her head firmly. "No, Jake. This isn't the kind of fight you're ready for. You are clearly in no mental state to go there. Besides, I'll have to... exaggerate with my methods. It's going to get messy, and I can't risk you getting caught up in it."

"But—"

She interrupted, her gaze softening as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "This is something I need to do alone. I'm not taking any chances, and if you're there, I'll be distracted trying to keep you safe."

Jake looked down at the McDonald's bag in his hand, feeling a mix of frustration and helplessness. He hated the idea of sitting on the sidelines, but he also knew Mika was right.

"Hide in here until I come back, they might approach you while I'm gone", Mika says as she conjures a portal, leading to an unknown white room.

"Is this..."

"It's a dimension I created. Or, to be more exact, a dimension that I found and put a room inside. You'll be safe here."

Jake then procceeds to enter the room. He looks back and sees the portal slowly closing up.

"Just... be careful," he said finally, his voice quiet.

Mika smiled faintly, a rare softness breaking through her usual composure. "I will."

With that, she turned on her heel, her figure disappearing into the night.